Town News Briefing

MANCHESTER -- A false report that a student who had been banned from Bennet Middle School had returned caused a brief disruption Wednesday, authorities said.

``It turned out to be a non-issue, and everything at Bennet Middle School is fine,'' said John Bishop, the district's safety and security liaison.

In a letter to parents, Principal Ann Richardson said the false report affected the school routine for about 15 minutes.

The student who purportedly was in the school had been ``previously removed for discipline issues,'' the letter states. Bishop would not describe what the discipline involved.

MANCHESTER

2 Police Employees On

Leave During Probe

MANCHESTER -- Two members of the police department have been placed on paid leave during an investigation of alleged criminal activity, Capt. Marc Montminy said Wednesday.

``We don't have a comment yet until we can nail down some things,'' Montminy said. ``It is potentially a criminal situation, that's why they're out of the building.'' He would not describe the nature of the allegations or identify the two employees.

``We might not know who all the other players are yet,'' he said. The investigation originally focused on one employee, he said, but that probe led police to ``potentially damaging information about another employee.'' The allegations are serious, he said.

GLASTONBURY -- The town will receive $107,000 in federal Department of Homeland Security grants to strengthen its programs for responding to terrorist attacks.

The money may be used for planning and operations, communications, regional response teams for hazardous materials and bombs, and other emergency functions.

State Rep. Sonja ``Sonny'' Googins, R-Glastonbury, said Wednesday that the money would increase the town's ability to respond to emergencies.

GLASTONBURY

Trash Disposal Sites

To Be Closed Friday

GLASTONBURY -- The transfer station at 2340 New London Turnpike and the bulky waste site on Tryon Street will be closed Friday, which is Good Friday.

Both will be open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information call 860-652-7772 or 860-652-7790.

HARTFORD

Police Investigate

Stabbing Of Teen

A 19-year-old was stabbed in the neck Tuesday night and was treated at a local hospital, police said.

Shameel Times of Garden Street said he was on the corner of Garden and Pliny streets about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when he ``felt a pain in the neck,'' police said.

Times told police that he did not see the person who stabbed him and police have no suspects in the case. Times was treated at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center for nonlife-threatening injuries, police said.

The incident is being investigated by the major crimes division of the Hartford Police Department.

HARTFORD

Man Is Shot In Wrist

While Sitting In Car

A 33-year-old Hartford man was shot in the right wrist Monday night while sitting in his car on Love Lane in Hartford's North End, police said.

The incident was reported to police at 11:11 p.m. Monday.

Leonard Redick of Huntington Street told police he was shot by a man wearing a mask over his face. Police said Redick was sitting in the car when he said his attacker opened the passenger side door and opened fire, police said. Redick drove himself to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center where he was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.

The major crimes division of the Hartford Police Department is investigating.

HARTFORD

Convenience Store

Has License Suspended

A convenience store has paid a fine of $1,050 and will have its liquor license suspended for one day due to violations of state liquor regulations, state officials have announced.

YV Convenience, 310 Franklin Ave., paid the fine and will have its license suspended Monday, officials from the state Liquor Commission said.

FARMINGTON

Burned Student

Remains Hospitalized

FARMINGTON -- A 19-year-old college student from Farmington injured in a fire at his George Washington University dormitory remained in critical condition at a Washington D.C. hospital Wednesday.

University officials said Tuesday that Kevin McLaughlin suffered burns over 50 percent of his body.

The fire was caused by an electric grill that was placed on the floor next to McLaughlin's bed, fire officials said. George Washington University students are barred from using grills or hot plates in their dorm rooms.

The fire was first noticed by secret service agents getting coffee near McLaughlin's freshman dormitory, Thurston Hall, at around 5 a.m. No other students were injured in the fire.

CROMWELL

Two Men Sought

In Robbery At Store

CROMWELL -- Police are looking for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a convenience store on Berlin Road Wednesday.